Watersports can often be perceived as difficult. When talking about excelling in some of these sports then it takes time to develop those necessary skills. But for a quick stoke fix, some disciplines are easier to access than you’d think. You will need some base skill level if going it alone. Or, alternatively, book yourself a watersports taster session at an affiliated school. A qualified and experienced instructor will get you amongst it in record time. There’s no better time to get out and live! And watersports playtime is one surefire way to use your free time best. Also, many of these watersports are great for family participation.

A quick word on watersports accessory essentials.

In almost all circumstances you’ll have to wear a wetsuit. Watersports participation outside of Tropical locations is mostly practised in colder waters. Every dog has its day. But even during the hottest spells of weather it’s important to keep safe and wear the right protection. Weather can change quickly and the last thing you need is to get caught out.

Whilst wetsuits and wetsuit accessories are essential. You’ll also be needing ‘tools’ to look after your investment. A wetsuit is just that. And prolonging its life is important. The last thing we need is more petrochemical products discarded as waste. The following EXIT watersports accessory essentials help with wetsuit care, maintaining longevity and getting your kit dry for that next session. You can check out the full list of EXIT wetsuit accessories in the online shop here.

Sit on top kayaking fun.

Sit on top kayaks, made from rotomolded plastic, are accessible and fun for everyone. Being a sit on top means there’s no closed cockpit. As with standard kayaks. This breeds confidence as there’s no chance of being trapped should the boat capsize.

You may think that sit ons are lacking in performance. Which isn’t the case. Should you be a more skilled paddler, looking for an adrenaline fix, sit on tops will deliver. You can chase waves, navigate (mellow) white water and more. Sit on top kayaking is indeed good fun for your whole crew.

Where: mellow stretches of flat sheltered water are a good place to start with sit on kayaking. Avoid big waves, if at the coast. And rivers in full flow. Make sure to wear adequate clothing (wetsuits and such) plus buoyancy aids. Don’t take on anything you or your paddling group can’t handle. As we said above, get a lesson or a guide to show you some accessible routes.

Stand up paddle boarding wins.

If standing and paddling is more your thing then why not head off for a fun session of SUP. Unlike sit down paddling, SUP utilises an oversized surfboard (for want of a better description) and a single blade for propulsion. 

Paddle boarding exploded in popularity during the pandemic. With lots of people purchasing inflatables. Unfortunately, there’s a lack of skill and knowledge so we’d urge riders to practise safe SUPing and get a lesson or a guide. If you are experienced then the versatility of paddle boarding is tangible.

Where: for beginners and intermediates sheltered flat water, devoid of strong currents are the best spots to choose. Beware of changing weather and things like wind which can blow inflatables away from shore. Again, get a lesson and/or use a qualified guide. For experienced riders SUP surfing or racing are options. Always remember to stay SUP safe!

eFoiling first flights.

Foiling is all the rage at the movement within watersports. Arguably the easiest foiling discipline to get involved with is eFoiling. Powered by lithium-ion batteries eFoils are a throttle squeeze away from getting you airborne. The only downside is the prohibitive cost of eFoils.

That said there are lots of watersports schools that now have fleets of eFoil craft and offer taster sessions. It’s a much cheaper way to get a taste of foiling and is super fun. The majority of riders will be foiling within 20 minutes. So it’s very accessible. 

Where: search online for your nearest watersports school offering eFoiling taster and demo sessions. If you’re lucky enough to afford one of your own, stick to sheltered flat water whilst you master the basics. Avoid waves, strong currents and tides. Make sure you’re aware of the rules and regulations at whatever launch spot you choose. Some stretches of water have enforceable speed limits.

Dinghy sailing watersports success.

Dinghy sailing is often perceived as a rich person sport. And whilst there’s no question new boas purchases cost there are much more affordable ways of getting into sailing. Schools offering dinghy tasters and coaching are the best bet to begin with. You can try out sailing under the instruction and supervision of a qualified coach. 

Taking things further. If you do get the sailing bug then joining a club may be a good idea. Clubs tend to have fleets of boats you can hire. They’ll also be coaching available to help you hone and advance your skills.

Where: a sailing school or club is where to start. Initially, a taster or lesson is the best approach. A qualified instructor will show you the ropes and help you with those forays.

Bodyboarding wave riding success.

Surfing continues to attract wave sliders all around the globe. But those first forays into wave riding whilst standing can be tricky. It’s not as accessible as you’d imagine with quite a bit of time and effort needed to navigate those first steps.

A much quicker and easier way to start riding waves is atop a bodyboard. You don’t even need to be out of your depth. Or riding unbroken waves. Simply messing about in the shallows, and sliding the whitewater to shore, can be enough. If you want to take things further and advance your skills then you can do so.

Where: a mellow beach break with smaller waves is a good idea to begin your bodyboarding career. Ideally with lifeguards on duty. Stick between the yellow and red flags and stay in your depth to keep safe. When you start to improve, paddling out back and riding ‘green waves’ is the next step. Take things one stage at a time and don’t tackle conditions that are beyond your capabilities.

Wild swimming relaxation.

Wild swimming has gained much traction in recent years. Dipping in the wild offers a unique experience and a chance to connect with nature. The colder water is also reported to be rejuvenating with additional health benefits.

There are plenty of dippers who wild swim sans wetsuit. But you don’t have to! It’s perfectly ok to wild swim whilst wearing rubber. Comfort and safety are the main priority. Wild swimming is also a good one to combine with activities like paddle boarding and kayaking. Navigate your craft to a chosen wild swimming spot and dive right in!

Where: calm, sheltered waters devoid of flow, current and tide are best for wild swimming. Avoid harsh weather conditions and stay safe. Be aware of things like cold water shock and hypothermia too. Having a warm drink available for post-wild swimming is a good idea.

Surf skating for land based good times.

We appreciate this article is about watersports primarily. But having a land based activity to turn to is no bad thing. Surf skating, unlike traditional skateboarding, is much more accessible. Utilising a wider deck and hyper manoeuvrable trucks, surf skate setups offer a lot more fun even riding on flat land. 

The ability to carve tighter and at slower speeds means riders can be indulging without fear of falling from heights. And then there’s the pumping ability of a surf skate. Being able to roll and not put your foot down is a great feeling. Surf skating is also a great way to stay in shape when watersports aren’t happening.

Where: flat land with smooth surfaces are best to begin with. Learning to carve and pump your surf skate are foundational skills. On from that, if you do fancy hitting the local skatepark or pump track then fill ya boots! Wear a lid and pads, take things slow and you’ll be fine.

Summing up accessible watersports.

Watersports don’t have to be massively challenging. At least, not a first. If you like the idea of starting a new hobby or experiencing a unique activity then you can do with all of the above. This list isn’t conclusive but it’ll get you started. If none of the suggestions above are floating your boat, have a browse online to see what you can find that piques your interest.

For more watersports good stuff check out the EXIT Knowledge page here.